Agenda and minutes

An apology was reported on behalf of Councillor Reynolds.

            The minutes of the meeting of 17th June were taken as read and signed as correct. It was reported that those minutes had been adopted by the Council at its meeting on 1st July, subject to the omission of the minutes under the headings, “Belfast City Centre Management - Additional Funding Requests“ and “Cinemagic – Request for Funding” which had been referred back to the Committee by the Council for further consideration.

·        In respect of item 5, viz., ‘The Role of Cities in Attracting Direct Foreign Investment’, Alderman Webb declared an interest in that he was employed by OCO Global; and

·        In respect of item 10, viz., ‘Belfast Homecoming – One City Conference’, Councillor Ó Muilleoir declared an interest in that he was the Managing Director of the Belfast Media Group.

The Committee agreed to receive, at its meeting on 16th September, a deputation from the St. George’s Market Traders’ Association to discuss a range of issues relating to the Market. 

            (Alderman Rodgers attended in connection with this item.)

The Committee considered further the undernoted minute of the meeting of 17th June, which, at the request of Alderman Rodgers and with the permission of the Council, had been taken back to the Committee for further consideration:

      “The Committee was reminded that, at its meeting on 14th January, it had agreed to provide funding in the sum of £190,000 to Belfast City Centre Management (BCCM) as the Council’s contribution towards its running costs for 2014/2015. It was reported that the Board of BCCM had since undertaken a review of the salaries of its staff and had adopted the NJC scales, a measure which had resulted in a shortfall of £30,000 in salary costs for £2014/2015. Accordingly, the Director reported that a request for financial assistance for 50% of the shortfall, that is, £15,000, had been received from BCCM.

      In addition to the aforementioned request, the Director reminded the Committee that BCCM had been one of six successful applicants selected by the Department for Social Development to oversee a pilot Business Improvement District (BID) project.  He reported that BCCM had requested also that the Council consider making a contribution towards the employment of a Development Manager to oversee the implementation of that project. The total cost of employing the Development Manager, over an 18 month period, would be £90,000 and the Council had been requested to consider providing 50% of that cost.

      In respect of the request by BCCM for a contribution towards meeting the re?evaluated staff salary costs, Members expressed concern that the Council, should it accede to the request, would be creating a precedent which could encourage further organisations to submit one-off requests for funding. The point was made that employees within the public sector had been subject to pay freezes in recent years and BCCM should have anticipated the extra costs and incorporated them within their original request for annual funding. Therefore, it would be inappropriate for the Council to meet the request as submitted. 

      Regarding the request for funding for to employ a Business Manager for the BID pilot project, the Committee noted that the Department for Social Development had agreed to contribute a sum of £45,000 towards the post. Accordingly, the Council would be required to provide funding of £15,000 in 2014/2015, with a further amount of £30,000 being allocated within the Council’s 2015/2016 budget to support the project. 

      After discussion, it was

      Moved by Alderman Ekin,

      Seconded by Alderman Webb and  

                  Resolved - That the Committee agrees not to accede to the             request for £15,000 from BCCM to meet the increase in costs          of staff salaries; but agrees to provide funding in the sum of      £45,000, over a two-year period, to meet the costs associated            with the employment of a Business Manager to oversee that     organisation’s BID pilot project.”

            At the request of Alderman Rodgers, the Committee agreed to defer consideration of the matter to enable a deputation from Belfast City Centre Management to attend the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

            The Committee considered further the undernoted minute of the meeting of 17th June, which, at the request of Councillor Spence and with the permission of the Council, had been taken back to the Committee for further consideration:

      “The Director advised the Committee that a request had been received from Cinemagic seeking a donation from the Council to assist it to meet a £200,000 funding shortfall which it had encountered in the making of a Belfast-themed feature film entitled: ‘The Christmas Star’. The Director reported that no provision existed within the Tourism, Culture and Arts Unit’s budget for 2014/2015, but pointed out that officers from within that Unit would continue to provide guidance and assistance to Cinemagic in exploring alternative sources of funding. 

      The Committee agreed not to accede to the request and noted the comments of the Director.”

            The Committee affirmed its decision of 17th June. 

(Alderman Webb left the meeting whilst the item was under discussion.)

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1  Background Information

1.1       Belfast is consistently among the best performing UK cities in terms of attracting investment from overseas.  The statutory responsibility for attracting inward investment to Northern Ireland rests with Invest NI and the organisation has recently expanded its international network of offices.  It now has 17 offices across the world covering Europe, North America, Asia Pacific, India, Middle East and Africa.

2    Key Issues

2.1       OCO is a local company that provides foreign investment consultancy advice and support to a range of economic development agencies across the world including UK Trade and Investment (UKTI), Invest in Sweden Agency, Invest Hong Kong, Invest in France and the Jordan Investment Board. 

2.2       At the request of the Director, the company prepared an overview report to illustrate urban approaches to FDI attraction  as a means of informing the future discussion on this issue.  The report profiles a number of UK cities as well as one French city (Lyon) as comparators and outlines the structures that exist in each of the cities to support FDI.

2.3       While the examples outlined differ in their scale, approach and structures, each of the cities has developed an investment approach in parallel to the national/regional investment structures.  This illustrates the importance that each of the locations attaches to attracting FDI to their city as well as the potential for complementary approaches involving a range of partners. 

2.4       The report notes that FDI is increasingly becoming focused on service sectors – four out of the top five sectors for FDI into the UK in 2012-2013 were services (software and IT services, business services, financial services and communication).  These sectors tend to be located in urban areas.  It also references a recent research report which suggests that around 3 in 4 of all highly skilled jobs are located in cities.  This leads to the understanding that cities are magnets for FDI and the associated benefits that this can bring.  However, it also outlines the importance of cities taking a clear and practical role in attracting and supporting FDI in order to maximise the benefits that can be generated from the investment. 

2.5       Case studies of approaches to investment promotion in a number of cities are outlined.  While there are significant variations in terms of both structure and resources, there are a number of interesting points of note:

-        The examples illustrate the strong precedent that exists for local authorities to pro-actively develop approaches to inward investment attraction, in tandem with and alongside national and regional agencies

-        While some of the agencies have overseas offices, others operate from local offices only

-        There are close similarities in the target sectors for each of the agencies, namely digital and creative, science and health/life sciences, business and financial services and advanced engineering.  This reinforces the competition and the need to develop a distinct and competitive offer

-        Many of the cities use  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

            The Committee considered the Department’s quarterly finance report for the first quarter of the financial year 2014/2015.

Noted.

            The Director provided an overview of the performance figures for both the Waterfront and Ulster Halls for the period from 1st April till 30th June, 2014.  The Committee was informed that future performance reports for the Waterfront Hall would, given the development of a conference and convention centre at the venue, be revised to provide the Committee with an enhanced strategic overview on the number of longer-term bookings which had been made. 

            The Committee noted the information which had been provided.

The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1     Background Information

1.1   In August 2013 the Committee agreed to open the Creative and Cultural Belfast Fund.

1.3    £150,000 per annum was ring-fenced in the 2013/14 and 2014/15 budgets, with the same level of support projected for 2015/16 subject to approval of draft budget estimates. The Arts Council of Northern Ireland (ACNI) agreed to provide match funding of £450,000, bringing the programme budget to £900,000. £10,000 per year is ring-fenced for administrative costs. This means the total funding budget is £870,000.

1.4   Tranche 1 of Creative and Cultural Belfast opened in September 2013, and in February 2014, Members agreed to award a total of £585,000, comprising one exceptional grant of £300,000 and three standard grants of £95,000.

1.5   It was anticipated that the second round of funding for Creative and Cultural Belfast would open in April 2015. Three standard grants of £95,000 would be made available.

2       Key Issues

2.1   £585,000 of funding was allocated in tranche 1, including £445,000 of ACNI funding. The balance available for tranche 2 is therefore £285,000, including £5,000 of ACNI’s funding. However, ACNI funding cannot be used to part-fund a contract at this level.

2.2   It is therefore recommended that the value of grant is reduced from three grants at £95,000 to three grants at £90,000. The surplus of £15,000 will be used for programme support, such as training, marketing and evaluation.

         Timescales

2.3   The Council’s budget must be substantially spent within the current financial year. It is therefore recommended that the call for applications is brought forward and opens in September 2014. Recommendations for funding will then be presented to Committee in January 2015.

3       Resource Implications

3.1   Financial

         Funding is included in the TCA Unit’s draft budget estimates for 2014/15. ACNI has agreed to provide match funding of £450,000.

4       Recommendation

4.1   That the Committee agree to open the second round of the Creative and Cultural Belfast Fund in September 2014 to award three grants of £90,000.”

The Committee adopted the recommendation.

            The Committee noted the contents of a report which provided an overview of the progress which had been achieved regarding a number of capital schemes which had been established as part of the Investment Programme. The Director answered a range of Members’ questions in relation thereto and indicated that further updates would be submitted in due course. 

            (Councillor Ó Muilleoir left the room while this item was under consideration.)

“1  Relevant Background Information

1.1       Members will be aware that one of the key commitments of the Council’s Investment Programme 2012-2015 is that the Council will work with city partners to promote Belfast proactively on the international stage to attract trade and investment, increase visitor and student numbers and build the networks necessary to support growth.

1.2       As part of the International Relations Framework, BCC has entered into three cooperation agreements to work with the cities of Boston, Shenyang and Dublin on the targeted areas of trade, education and tourism/leisure.

1.3       BCC has received a request to support the Belfast Homecoming – One City Conference on 25-26 September 2014.  This conference brings together key stakeholders from a range of sectors from two of our new formal partner cities outlined above, namely Dublin and Boston.

1.4       The conference programme involves a number of sessions and initiatives which complement the Councils’ economic development and regeneration objectives and align to the objectives of the Councils’ International Relations Framework and associated city agreements.

2          Key Issues

2.1      The Mayor of Boston, Martin Walsh, will be a key note speaker at the Homecoming event and will take the opportunity to engage with BCC’s Lord Mayor and officials to explore potential actions for mutual benefit for both cities.

2.2       Members will be aware that the Lord Mayor will make a return visit to Boston during the EU-USA eHealth Conference in October 2014.  During this visit, the Mayors will meet again to promote the Sister City Partnership between Belfast and Boston.

2.3       During the Homecoming – One City Conference, Mayor Walsh and the Lord Mayor of Belfast will share a speaking platform to outline the potential benefits of this Sister City Agreement and inform other Belfast stakeholders of this recently signed collaboration.

2.4       There will be other panels involving the Chair of the Development Committee and a panel specifically to discuss and promote the Belfast-Dublin Economic Corridor Agreement. 

2.5       Members will be aware that a formal cooperation between both cities and stakeholders along the corridor was explored during an event led by the former Lord Mayor of Belfast, Cllr Máirtín Ó Muilleoir and the former Mayor of Dublin, Cllr Oisin Quinn on 28 March 2014.  Subsequently, both cities signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for cooperation.

2.6       The conference session will involve speakers from Dublin and Belfast councils and will pick up on the range of ideas for cooperation generated at the inaugural corridor event on 28 March 2014.

2.7       A further opportunity for BCC to promote the priorities of the Councils’ Investment Programme is the main plenary planned event in Titanic Belfast on the recent Berridge report on Belfast City Centre Regeneration and Investment.

2.8       An additional opportunity for Belfast to feature its investment work is to showcase the £30m Belfast Waterfront Hall Conference and Exhibition development and to appeal to the NI diaspora to promote the facility for new business and leisure conferences.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

            The Committee considered a report which provided an overview of the Belfast Future City Conference 2014 which the Council had hosted on 20th June in the Waterfront Hall.  The Director outlined the key messages which had emerged from that conference and gave an overview of the themes which had been discussed. 

Noted.

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1        Relevant Background Information

1.1       Members will recall that the Council previously agreed to make a funding application to the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) to secure up to 75% of the costs of a demand stimulation programme that would complement the Super Connected Cities Voucher Scheme funded by DCMS. This would both raise awareness of the infrastructure investment and provide targeted mentoring support to help businesses get online or use the technologies to help them work more efficiently

1.2       The Council has been awarded £218,445 of grant funding from Invest NI and the NI ERDF Competitiveness Programme to support the Super Connected Cities – Demand Stimulation Programme. The demand stimulation programme will supplement and support the investment in telecoms infrastructure through the £13.7 Super Connected Cities Initiative funded by DCMS, helping local businesses to improve their productivity and competitiveness.

1.3       The need for a complimentary support programme for the Super Connected Cities Initiative has been identified from experience elsewhere as well as feedback from early engagement with local companies which suggested that businesses require support to help them maximise the potential of the infrastructure.

1.4       Aim Of The Programme

            The aim of the demand stimulation programme is to assist in the creation of a vibrant, digitally enabled economy across Belfast, by helping local SMEs to understand the transformation of traditional business models which effective exploitation of the digital platform will bring about. The initiative will seek to grow the capabilities of Belfast based SMEs through a tailored and structured programme of support to assist them to adopt, utilise and fully exploit the opportunities presented by ultrafast and superfast connectivity.

1.5       The Super Connected Cities Business Growth Initiative has a number of elements, some of which will be delivered directly by Belfast City Council with the remaining support activity to be delivered as part of a tender process.

1.6       Belfast City Council will directly deliver a number of Super Connected Cities awareness raising Seminars. The seminars, delivered by the BCC Super Connected Team will include:

-       General overview of the Super Connected Programme

-       Case-studies of business efficiency and growth potentially demonstrated by local business benefactors

1.7       The total cost for this element is £13,350.

1.8       It is intended that an external organisation will be procured to deliver the remaining elements of the programme which include:

-       Mentoring support to 300 Belfast based businesses to assist them in implementing business improvement techniques aligned to investment in new technologies

-       Workshops/Master Classes, 18 half day sessions in total targeting 20 participating businesses per session. The focus of these sessions will be informed by the needs of the client businesses

-       Participant Engagement and Recruitmentfor both Mentoring and Workshops/Master Classes

1.9       Objectives Of The Programme

-       To provide an accessible, needs-led business improvement programme;

-       To support participating businesses to become more competitive and sustainable by implementing emerging digital technologies;

-       To develop the knowledge and skills of participating businesses;

-       To provide businesses with  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1  Relevant Background Information

1.1       Members will be aware that Belfast City Council has worked with partners across the metropolitan area for more than a decade.  That work has principally been focused through two partnership structures, namely the Comet Economic Partnership and the Comet INTERREG Partnership.

1.2       The Comet Economic Partnership involves economic development staff from each of the six council areas.  Collaborative activity includes lobbying with regards to EU funding and policies, delivery of joint projects to support SME development and engagement in best practice sharing EU funded projects.

1.3       In 2005, the councils were approached by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) to form a shadow Comet INTERREG IIIA Partnership to prepare the Greater Belfast area for pursuing INTERREG IVA funding. At this time, a shadow Comet INTERREG Partnership was set up consisting of 12 elected members, 2 from each of the council areas. The Partnership became fully operational in 2007, and is coordinated by a secretariat based within Belfast City Council’s EU Unit.

1.4       SEUPB currently provides all funding for running costs of the secretariat (currently around £85,000 annually). This covers staff and overhead costs for the INTERREG Partnership Manager whose role is to support the Board as well as managing all claims and compliance issues between the project partners and the SEUPB.

2    Key Issues

2.1       Comet Economic Partnership

            Members will be aware that the Comet area as currently defined (i.e. council areas of Belfast, North Down, Newtownabbey, Castlereagh, Lisburn and Carrickfergus) will no longer exist in its current format following the reform of local government in April 2015.  At the April 2013 AGM of the Comet Economic Partnership, the six councils agreed to continue the partnership in its current format until March 2015 and to see out a number of operational commitments agreed through the annual action plan and service level agreement arrangement.  Traditionally, councils had set aside a nominal amount to support small-scale collaborative project activity, focused on business development and growth as well as shared learning and collaboration on EU issues. 

2.2       Given the boundary changes that will come about as a result of local government reform, as well as the changing priorities and areas of focus of the new councils, there is an opportunity to consider whether these arrangements should continue as is or whether there is a need to change the way of working.

2.3       While the current partnership arrangements provide an opportunity for officers to share information and engage in collaborative working, the majority of the engagement occurs at an operational level, with limited opportunity for strategic input. 

2.4       The EU institutions and other international governance structures and partnerships such as OECD are increasingly focusing on the importance of working at the functional urban area level, namely the travel to work area or the area beyond the administrative boundaries within which the majority of movement and activity takes place.  Given the changing dynamics within the new council areas, there may be an opportunity  ...  view the full minutes text for item 14.

            The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1     Relevant Background Information

1.1   Members will be aware that the European Social Fund (ESF) is an EU fund to address economic inactivity and increase workforce skills.  In Northern Ireland, the programme is administered by the Department for Employment and Learning (DEL). Funding is allocated by means of an open call for projects.  Successful projects attract funding of up to 65% of the total project cost and project promoters are expected to find the remaining 35% funding from other sources. 

1.2   At present, Belfast City Council is providing match funding support to 5 externally-managed projects and one project that the council runs itself (but which it has commissioned an external partnership to operate on its behalf). 

1.3   The new ESF programme is expected to open for applications in November 2014.  Successful projects are likely to be operational from April 2015 (current projects will end in March 2015). 

2       Key Issues

2.1   Members will be aware of ongoing challenges around the administration of ESF and the implications for the council presented by the open call process.  Previous reports have provided updates on officer engagement with DEL staff to identify a way in which the match funding provided by the council and other public sector bodies can be used to contribute to targeted delivery, as opposed to on a case-by-case basis as is currently the way of working.  While many of the individual projects produce positive outputs in their own right, it is almost impossible to measure the overall impact of the investment in terms of skills development or employment outcomes within the city.  At present, there are over 50 ESF schemes operating in the Belfast City Council area.

2.2   The transfer to councils of responsibility for community development and regeneration powers from Department for Social Development (DSD) means that there is likely to be a much more significant and diverse demand on council resources to match fund projects in the coming financial year as well as in future years (the open call is for projects with a three year duration).  Officers have identified that, in the current financial year, DSD is providing match funding totalling £703,000 to ESF projects based in the Belfast City Council area.  Members will be aware of the challenges around the resource allocation model and the significant shortfall in resources being transferred from DSD to Belfast City Council.  This will have an impact on the council’s ability to meet the expectations of organisations who are seeking match funding from the council, including those that were successful in receiving ESF match funding from DSD in previous years. 

2.3   While DEL has signalled that there are a number of ESF measures that will be 100% funded this time – namely Family Support Programme and measures to target young people aged 16-24 not in education, training or employment – the other measures (e.g. support for economically inactive, lone parents, those with health issues etc.) will still require match funding at a level of 35%  ...  view the full minutes text for item 15.

            The Committee was advised that the fourth Women in Business Awards ceremony would take place in the Culloden Estate and Spa on 20th November.  He outlined the benefits which the Council would accrue should it agree to sponsor the event, which included significant publicity and the promotion of the Council’s role as a supporter of women in business in the City.  He added that the sponsorship package would entitle the Council to avail also of a number of free places and he recommended that the Committee authorise a sum of £1,500 towards the event.

            The Committee agreed to provide sponsorship in the sum of £1,500.

            The Committee considered a report which outlined a number of difficulties which had been experienced at the St. George’s Market in the allocation of stalls to traders currently on the waiting list at the market.  

            The Committee noted the information which had been provided and endorsed the establishment of a panel which could exercise its discretion to arbitrate on any issues which might arise regarding the allocation of stalls.

            The Committee noted the contents of a report which provided an overview of the events which had been organised to coincide with the hosting in Belfast of the International Boxing Federation super-bantamweight world title fight between Carl Frampton and Kiko Martinez on 5th September. 

            The Committee was advised that Denvir Marketing had, on behalf of Tesco Northern Ireland, applied to the Council for permission to host a market entitled ‘Taste of Northern Ireland’ in the Custom House Square on 12th, 13th  and 14th September.

The Committee acceded to the request subject to the drafting of an appropriate legal agreement.

The Committee acceded to a request from the organisers of the Belfast Christmas Market to extend its operation in 2014 for a further 3 days, viz, 17th till 20th December. 

            The Committee noted the contents of the report which provided an update on a range of transport measures which would be introduced across the City.

The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1     Relevant Background Information

1.1   The ongoing Renewing the Routes (RTR) Programme has delivered local regeneration projects at targeted locations across the arterial routes of Belfast since 2004. The Programme has facilitated the investment of approximately £7,210,000 across these key routes and neighbourhoods with the completion of 692 commercial units and 124 environmental improvement schemes.

1.2   The Committee agreed a four year rolling programme for the continuation of local regeneration across the target areas of the city in February 2012.

1.3   The purpose of this report is to seek approval for additional works using the underspend to maximise Council’s investment on Stewartstown Road and Oldpark Road. 

2       Key Issues

2.1   Integrated Regeneration Plans for Stewartstown Road and Oldpark Road were approved by Committee in August 2013.

2.2   The initial priority initiatives in the agreed Action Plans have been achieved within the agreed allocations and underspends have been identified on both Stewartstown Road (£29,000) and Oldpark Road (£24,000) allowing the consideration of additional projects.

2.3   The new project opportunities being presented for Stewartstown Road and Oldpark Road include commercial and environmental improvements such as painting of frontages, strip lighting, new signage and landscaping.  These are outlined in Table 1.    

2.4   Table 1:  Additional Project Opportunities

         Stewartstown Road                                                             £29,000

2.5    Oldpark Road

           £24,000

2.6    Stewartstown Road

         The current programme of work involves enhancement of 15 commercial units as well as a number of environmental and heritage improvements, along the 1km node from Hillhead Crescent to Suffolk Road.

2.7   All of the shortlisted projects have been incorporated into the current scheme of works with the exception of a proposed environmental project at Hillhead Crescent and improvements to the railings on Stewartstown Road which are no longer viable due to proposals for the Belfast Rapid Transit (BRT) Scheme. 

2.8   To utilise the projected underspend, it is proposed to include the adjacent Woodbourne Crescent area as a commercial/environmental improvement scheme.  Despite being well used, the commercial units at Woodbourne Crescent are in poor condition.  There is a pedestrian link from Woodbourne Crescent to the existing units on Stewartstown Road which have been enhanced as part of the current programme.  It is considered that to include the commercial units at Woodbourne Crescent would create a wider environmental impact in the locale. 

2.9   Oldpark Road

         Members will recall that the Oldpark Road node boundary was extended from Torrens Avenue to Oldpark Avenue in order to address adjacent commercial units. The current programme of work involves improvements to 26 businesses as well as environmental and heritage enhancements.

2.10  During the consultation for the Oldpark Road Integrated Regeneration Plan the cluster of businesses at the junction of Oldpark Road and Rosapenna Street were highlighted as in need of improvement but it was anticipated they would have  ...  view the full minutes text for item 22.

The Committee considered the undernoted report:

“1       Relevant Background Information

1.1      Members will be aware that, at the Development Committee meeting of 17 June 2014, a budget of £10,000 was approved for a visit to Boston by the Lord Mayor along with the Chair and Deputy Chair of Development Committee or nominees, plus one officer.

1.2     The focus of the visit was intended to be the EU/US e-health marketplace and conference which takes place in the city on 21-22 October.  A number of local businesses will be taking part in the event and there are likely to be opportunities for both civic and business engagements. 

1.3     The wider visit programme is currently being developed and there is an opportunity to incorporate a number of additional programme elements and to build on the Belfast delegation. 

2         Key Issues

2.1     The Belfast–Boston Sister Cities agreement approved by the Development Committee in April 2014 provides a framework for action focusing on a number of key themes including:

·        Economic development, trade and investment

·        Tourism

·        Cultural exchange

·        Faith based exchange and educational linkages.

2.2     Early engagement with the Mayor’s Office in Boston has identified the opportunity for a number of community-based visits which may lead to longer term reciprocal exchanges.  In Boston, much of this work is led by faith leaders and it is therefore considered that there is an opportunity for a number of the Lord Mayor’s chaplains to accompany her on this visit and to develop the linkages directly.

2.3     Given the resource challenges, it is proposed that up to four chaplains be invited to participate in the visit and that Belfast City Council agrees to cover up to 50% towards their participation costs.  These costs would be met within the budget previously agreed at the June Development Committee, i.e. £10,000.

2.4     The visit to Belfast in September 2014 of the Mayor of Boston and some of his key staff will allow officers to plan the visit programme directly with the Mayor and his team in order to maximise the value of the chaplains’ participation, if approved.

3         Resource Implications

3.1     A budget of £10,000 was approved at the 17 June 2014 meeting of the Development Committee.  The contribution towards the chaplains’ costs will be met from within this budget. 

4         Equality and Good Relations Considerations

4.1     No specific equality and good relations considerations. 

5         Recommendations

5.1     It is recommended that the Committee agree to:

·        Invite up to four of the Lord Mayor’s chaplains to accompany her on the October 2014 visit to Boston

·        Provide up to 50% of the travel and subsistence costs for the chaplains to take part in this visit, up to a maximum of £2,500 in total.  The costs will be met within the budget previously agreed by the Development Committee in June 2014.”

The Committee adopted the recommendations.